Readout of the President's Call with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso

President Obama spoke today with Japanese Prime Minister Aso to review the situation following North Korea's nuclear test. The President underscored that North Korea's nuclear test was a clear violation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions and therefore warranted a collective response by the international community.

The two leaders agreed that continued close bilateral cooperation is imperative, and decided to intensify coordination with the Republic of Korea as well as with China and Russia. They pledged to work closely in the United Nations Security Council to obtain a resolution with concrete measures to curtail North Korea's nuclear and missile activities.

President Obama reiterated the United State's unequivocal commitment to the defense of Japan and to maintaining peace and security in Northeast Asia.